Month: December 2015

Asah Waterfalls

The island of Pulau Tioman, sitting off the east coast of Malaysia, enjoys hot and sunny weather during most of the year. The monsoon season brings heavy rain and large waves from October until January; this is when the surfers alight in Tioman. Resort properties offer discounted rates and operate at low capacity. Between May and August, when rainfall is minimal, is when the tourists arrive in crowds.

The mountains, lush foliage, warm climate and ocean views make it a great destination for a relaxing holiday. Tioman Island is known for the beautiful waterfalls that make up a big part of the natural beauty of the island. The most famous of the waterfalls is Asah Waterfall; it is also referred to as Mukut Waterfall because it is in the vicinity of the village of Mukut. Visitors can opt to stay overnight at the Berjaya Tioman Resort, located on the island’s sandy shores with the towering mist covered mountains beyond, to soak up the tranquillity of this beautiful island.

Hiking to the top of Asah Waterfall is an option if you remember to bring along the appropriate footwear. The walk is long and can be challenging for some but the scenery is breathtaking. Listen to birds calling and admire the trees and vines as you climb to the top. If you are in luck you may even see monkeys and other wildlife along the way. There are strategically located shops and rest spots for climbers to survey the landscape as well as get a drink and catch their breath. The residents of Mukut Village are friendly and welcoming, they are also happy to sell food and souvenirs to tourists who want a snack or to pick up a memento of their trip.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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Boat Rides at Bolgoda Lake

Sri Lanka is a tiny island that has much to surprise and delight visitors, in the way of natural beauty. Despite being famous for endless tropical beaches and turquoise seas, there are vast lakes, high peaks and thick forests if one is to venture inland.

Bolgoda Lake is believed to be the largest natural, fresh water lake in Sri Lanka. The body of water spans three hundred and forty seven square kilometres but only reaches a maximum depth of fifty feet. It is located on the outskirts of Colombo, the country’s capital. The Lake consists of North Lake, which is the larger portion, most of which is located in the Colombo District; South Lake is situated in the Kalutara District. The Bolgoda Ganga is the river which connects the two bodies of water. Bolgoda Lake connects up to the Weras Ganga Basin, the neighbouring coastal suburb of which is home to the ever popular Mount Lavinia Beach overlooked by the old colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel.

A fun way to experience the lake is to take a boat trip and discover all the natural wonders, which includes mangrove forests. Paddle boats and row boats are available for those looking to splash about in the water. This is especially fun for kids. A few hours out on the lake is also recommended for bird watchers as the lake is rich in biodiversity and attracts many species of the feathered kind. The lake has a small island that can be booked by private groups for a picnic or party. There are other small islands that were used by ferrymen in olden times. In fact the lake provided a hunting and recreational ground for British Officers who were stationed in Colombo, during British rule.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Zipline Canopy Adventures in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is possibly the largest and most culturally noteworthy city in Northern Thailand. It is the capital city of the region. It is located about 700km from Bangkok, and is packed with rainforests, hilltops and ancient monasteries, making it one of the popular destinations in the country.

When travelling to Northern Thailand, of the variety of hotels in Chiang Mai, consider staying at the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa, to be placed close to the city’s attractions.

Besides its cultural heritage, Chiang Mai is renowned for its zipline canopy adventures. Connecting the tall treetops of the mysterious Mae Takhrai Park is the multi award winning Chiang Mai zipline canopy adventure tour. Named the “Flight of the Gibbons”, on this adventure, you get to experience the adrenaline rush induced by covering over 7km of ziplines. Asia’s longest single ‘flight’ (800m) is a key highlight here, offering travellers amazing views of the Mae Taeng River. Of the 33 stations, some reach over 70m from ground level, giving you the ultimate thrill as you soar through observing gibbons and other wild creatures in their natural habitats.

Just outside the city centre is the Chiang Mai Eagle track zipline that is located between three hill tribe villages. With over 35 platforms and 16 ziplines, the Eagle Track is very popular among thrill-seekers.

Zipline tours usually cost between 1,500 to 4,000 Thailand Bhats, depending on the intensity of the adventure and when you book them. The best part is these adventures also include visits to tribal villages. To make the adventure a more rounded one, you can even include options such as white water rafting, cycling, kayaking and rock climbing.

These adventures are all conducted without hindrance to the forestry, thus making them eco-friendly and sustainable.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.
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Samui Bungy Jump

There are various activities taking place year around in Samui that keep the tourist coming to the island. Samui Beach Resort is considered to be one of the primary attractions for tourists. However apart from that there are various other thrilling activities happening in this Thai island! Visitors often are often over whelmed by the amount of accommodation choices they are presented with by Samui. However one of the names that has been repetitively pronounced by past travelers has been Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort. Set on one of the beaches in the area, this Samui beach resort overlooks the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean and has a welcoming atmosphere set at all times to all its guests.

Among the numerous activities bungee jumping is rated as a high adrenaline pumping heart rate raising activity in Samui. The Samui bungee jumping experience includes being shot up in the air, free falling and bouncing up and down into a plunge pool. Up in the air the views are astounding as one can catch a glimpse of some of the most picturesque sites of the tropical island and of the Chaweng beach. The operators of the jump have been in the business for well over a decade and boast of a 100 % safety record. There have been around 50000 customers to the engage in the jump. There is no age restriction to take part in the jump however there are certain restrictions on weight. Definitely an activity worth trying while in Samui.

Samui has some of the best beaches in Thailand and it is also known for its night life. The Samui parties have been featured in many magazines world over. To complete the Thai island experience why not lie around soaking up the golden sun on the extensive beaches Samui has to offer as well as get that heart rate up and running.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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